Tag Archive: Kindle



Denali SkiesDenali Skies by Danielle Rohr

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A little over a decade ago, I was lucky enough to take a cruise through the inland waterway of Alaska. If truth be known, I didn’t want to go to that cold place, even in the summer. But I was so glad I did! I found out there are things that you dream of or wish for but have no idea what exciting wonders will be granted to you. Ever since this cruise I have been obsessed with all things Alaska. Anything written, or on TV, or movies, about Alaska, I have to meld myself into it. Especially now that the fibromyalgia prevents me from even leaving the house. So when I saw this book, on the Kindle freebie list I knew I had to get it.

For the most part, I am glad I did. Though I never got as far as Homer or Denali, it was fun to experience that great frontier through Danielle Rohr’s eyes. Okay, this is fiction, but I think one would have to experience it to write so eloquently about it. I loved the parts of the book that she becomes one with the mountain and the whole park.

I loved the characters created in the book. Regardless of how, as a parent, I nearly screamed at this New Adult about being more cautious, I think the book and the characters hold more wisdom than negative life experiences. Yet, it was those repeated mistakes the main character makes that started ruining it for me. I understood that this was a growing experience for the main character. She had to go through what she went through to find her own path.

Though there weren’t as many editing errors as some books I’ve read, I did find there was a need for another set of eyes in some places. It didn’t distract from the story, but it might for others.

My wish as I neared the end was that the MC would find a way to stay. Had I discovered all that she did at her age, I think I would have tried to find a way to stay. Maybe not as a waitress but there must have been other job opportunities to make staying possible. But that’s just me.

Good read!

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The Ugly DaughterThe Ugly Daughter by Julia Legian

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Why do I read? I read to travel to other places. I read to get inside other people’s lives and or minds. This book certainly satisfied all of that.

Reading about Julia Legian’s life made me grateful I didn’t have to live her life. Reading about her part of Vietnam made me grateful to be raised in Southern California and in the USA. Yet, I did feel enriched by reading about her young life.

Though it was a quick read, after all the author is still alive, the writing was done well. I was sorry to see the book end, but I think there may be more to come. No cliffhanger. Just as the family seems to be in a safe place, the book ended. I do look forward to reading more about the rest of Julia’s life.

Oh, I guess I should tell you that Ms. Julia wrote to me to inform me that she was giving a Christmas gift of the book. Thank you. By presenting it as such, I felt no pressure to read it right away. Nor did I feel there was an expectation of a great review. I try to be honest even when that happens. By the way, it is only $2.99 or free on Kindle Unlimited.

Oh, maybe I should warn you of the abuse that could have triggers for those who have been through similar things. And this is post-war Vietnam so life is far from safe even in the best of circumstances. Still, it was nice to get to know her through her story.

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Paradox LoveParadox Love by Dorothy Gravelle

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am so sorry to report I have finished reading “Paradox Love” by Dorothy Gravelle. What an amazing story! It is filled with twists and turns so very unexpected. The characters are believable and lovable. Just as fun as Where the Deer Dwell but totally different. As well written as her first, just the lack of “Clan of the Cave Bear” or the time travel sci-fi genres.

Instead, I found myself saying, Ms. Gravelle, you’ve given Richard Bach a run for his money! Think “One” or “Bridge Across Forever”. Add into this soul-mate mix “Lassie Come Home” and a box of Kleenex and you get a bit of the idea. Rather than the angsty YA romance typical these days, there was a strong couple who lived their own truths.

Now, I need to tell you that this is a first book in a series. But notice the star rating I gave. No cliffhanger! Yay! You can tell there is more to the story but you aren’t left worrying about the people. You just know there is more you want to know. I can’t wait to read the next book!

By the way, this Kindle ebook is free with Kindle Unlimited. There is also a Giveaway on GoodReads FirstReads. If you want to read the tree copy.

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Curve of Her ClawCurve of Her Claw by Margaret McGaffey Fisk

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I wish I could give this story more stars. Especially since, so far, I have loved all of my friend, Margaret McGaffey Fisk’s other stories. This is the first story that I had to read in two sittings. I couldn’t continue reading it as a bedtime book, too gruesome!

At the end of the story is the reason it is so dark. This was a part of a dark fantasy anthology. It needed that darkness. It succeeded! I typed that with a shiver up my spine.

As usual, the writing was spectacular! I just didn’t care for the main character, no matter how hard I tried. I wanted the story to take a different path, but it didn’t. I hope I never meet an elf like this one!

For my braver friends, this may be right up your alley! Try it!

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WINDOWS: A Broken Fairy TaleWINDOWS: A Broken Fairy Tale by Casey Bramble

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book took me forever to read. Though it had a lot of good things going for it, still, there were many times I wanted to put the book away and forget about it. Let’s start with the good: I loved the characters, at least the main ones… okay maybe I loved the blacksmith.

Second, I thought the story and plot were a very good idea. BUT… The plot got to certain places where it just bogged down. Not sure why. I think the sisters were too silly, and Raven needed therapy, badly. But I wanted to know what would happen with Sarah (blacksmith) so I stuck it out.

Oh, I love a book that includes romance and lesbians. That was a plus. But it took far too long to get there

I loved that there was a dragon!!!!! And I thought it clever to have the mixture of medieval and modern times, i.e. refrigerators and stoves; castles with dungeons; jeans and T-shirts and balls with long gowns. The worst for me was wishing the author had done more that a spell check. ‘To’ and ‘too’ were mixed up, ‘quite’ and ‘quiet’, ‘then’ and ‘than’. It got worse toward the end, whole sentences were messed up and hard to understand. Sadly, that was when I was most engaged with the story.

The worst is that it left me feeling the need to find out what happens next. A real cliffhanger. After so many days reading this, I don’t get to know what happens next? Boo! Not sure if I am engaged enough to read the next book.

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War ChildWar Child by Margaret McGaffey Fisk

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this a couple days ago. But I still remember the story with fondness. I was afraid to read it. The title, War Child, made me think this was going to be a book about war. Then I started reading and the first few pages showed that indeed there was to be war. Definitely not my type of story.

This was written by a member of our writing group that I think of as a friend. It was that friendship that caused me to continue reading past the part about war. Spoiler: This is a story about peace. A beautiful story about peace and how it could be attained.

Okay. There was one thing. Yeah, it was a short story. I always want more. No, it doesn’t leave you on a cliff. It’s just that I really liked the characters and wanted to hang with them longer. I’m sure another chapter or two could come out of this. Please, Margaret, please?

Meanwhile, pick it up on Amazon. It’s only $.99. Well worth the lessons that could be learned by all of us are within its pages. Try it! 🙂

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Nica of Los Angeles (Frames, #1)Nica of Los Angeles by Sue Perry

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ever give points just for its uniqueness? I knew I would from almost the first page of Nica of Los Angeles. In fact, that uniqueness nearly had me closing the book and moving on. What a loss that would have been! Instead, I substituted Frames with the thought of other dimensions. I could hear one of the scientists on the Science Channel talking about how another dimension would be as close as a breath away from us. Plopping that bit of science into my understanding of the story helped me believe.

Once one can embrace the unbelievability of this story, it becomes quite exciting. The characters are well developed and likable. Even Watts Towers. It is fun to visit familiar parts of LA the one in this reality and what it might be like in other dimensions.

It has been a couple days since I finished the story. I haven’t known exactly what to say about it and I have been trying to figure that out since I started reading it. By the way, I received the free version of the book from the author for an honest review. But I bought the $.99 at Amazon so I could read it from any of my readers. As I have stated above, I loved the story and the characters.

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How to Teach your Cat to use a Scratching Post (And not Destroy the Furniture)How to Teach your Cat to use a Scratching Post by By Bruce Carlley

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a little short book just for giving ideas to help your cat to learn NOT to scratch your furniture. Sadly my cat never read it! Maybe some of these ideas will work for you. It is only $.99 right now. I got it when it was free. Enjoy!

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Caged Wolf (Tarot Witches)Caged Wolf by S.M. Reine

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just when I thought I was caught up with the prolific Sara Reine’s writings, there is more. After the last series which featured a male witch as the main character I saw this cover and thought it would be more of him. Not that Cesar is awful. He is actually amusing. But I love Ms. Reine’s female leads better. Other covers of this book show a female, though so I took a chance. Not a big one. I planned on reading it regardless.

Warning, this is the first of a new series and this one is for adults only. There are erotic scenes that lean toward BDSM in nature. But the story is fun. The main character is actually Cesar’s sister, Ofelia. It is the first time we get to see her side of the story. She now lives in a land between USA and Mexico where demons and other bad guys roam freely. She works at a bar as a stripper. Got your attention yet?

I read this one in one sitting. I couldn’t stop reading. I love the idea that this series, Tarot Witches, nods to the Tarot, starting with the devil. Beyond that would be spoilers. If you like exciting adventures, this is it.

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Touching the Clouds (Alaskan Skies, #1)Touching the Clouds by Bonnie Leon

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

After my cruise to Alaska way back in June 2001, I love reading about Alaska. I also love books about women who are pilots of bush planes. I am impressed with their courage and stamina. So when I saw this book about a young female pilot in the early 1930s I had to get it. I expected adventure plus!

As for adventure, that was there. And I did like the main character. She was strong. And in those days a female not tending the home-front was an oddity at best. The author did a fine job showing that part of our history.

Anyone who knows me, has read my reviews, knows I don’t much like romantic books. But if it is part of the story and not the whole arc of the story I can bear with it. My favorite parts of this story were the main character flying, oh, and her dog. But be warned, there is romance. :-/

Another thing I don’t like is reading along enjoying the abilities of human endeavor and have the book suddenly become christian propaganda. Warning, that happens here. But I have to admit that it wasn’t all that annoying. Even atheists tend to foxhole prayers. Yes, there were the occasional scripture. Those were not as convincing as maybe the author thought they might be. Sorry. And in that case it got a little annoying. Instead of dropping the book in favor of others sitting and waiting for me to read, I couldn’t stop reading. I wanted to know what would happen next. I don’t mind that the main character is a Christian and seems quite strong in her beliefs. I mind that the one who doesn’t believe is being worked at to break him down, belief being the goal, even more than the romantic notions. He had good reasons to believe the way he did. So did she. What they had in common was tragedy. No one’s fault, accept we can’t control everything. That alone is a great storyline. But…

Now I have to admit that midway through the book I went back to the GoodReads page and saw that it was tagged as Christian Fiction. Then I didn’t feel so taken in. Had I not seen that I would have given up the story. But knowing it wasn’t just proselytizing — it was stated pure and plain. So I continued and finished the book. It was okay. I’m not going to pursue the next books. Sorry. It’s beginning to look like too much romance.

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